Mezzo-Soprano

Molly Johnson, lyric mezzo-soprano, seeks variety as an artist and is equally at home in operas and musicals. She has performed with such companies as Asheville Lyric Opera, Baton Rouge Opera, Music Theater of Wichita and Lyric Theater of Oklahoma. Favorite roles include the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors , Prince Orlovsky in Die Fledermaus , Mercedes in Carmen , and the Old Lady in Candide .

Dr. Johnson also enjoys oratorio and has been soloist in Handel's Messiah , Rutter's Magnificat , Faure's Requiem , Tippett's A Child of Our Time , Haydn's Mass in Time of War , and Mendelssohn's Elijah . Classical recitals, sacred concers and musical theatre cabarets (with her husband Mark) are among the smaller forms she delights in preparing and presenting.

When not in concert, Dr. Johnson is in the classroom or studio at the University of Texas at Tyler , where she teaches applied voice and is director of the opera workshop. Before joining the music faculty at UT-Tyler in 2001, she taught at the University of North Carolina-Asheville , Montreat College , and Warren Wilson College . She holds a Bachelor of Music from Oklahoma City University and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from Louisiana State University .

The Johnsons have two daughters, Sarah and Emily. Dr. Johnson remains active in non-performing musical roles as well. Her production credits include state director, assistant stage director, musical director, vocal coach, choreographer, stage manager and props coordinator for professional and university opera and musical productions. She frequently serves as adjudicator for college and high school level competitions. As a church musician, she has directed adult, youth and hand bell choirs and has been guest soloist in churches throughout the South.